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Condemnation & Seeing Beauty Out of Ashes



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If you're avidly seeking God and you make a mistake...don't forget- you're human. No matter how much we love and want to please the Lord, we will make mistakes as long as we're here on earth, unfortunately. If I had it my way, I'd love it if I could please Jesus every time, but we both know I'm human and that's just not going to happen. My experience is this: If you make Jesus your life and you try to do everything to please Him and you make a mistake or a series of them, and even after repenting you've still got a nagging feeling pulling your heart down- that my friend is condemnation. It's something all believers are tempted to feel, but if you stand on Him and let Him strengthen you, you don't have to fall into that trap.

 Jesus told me this today:
"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings." --Hosea 6:8 (NIV)

 I'm not that hard to please. If you're truly seeking Me, and you make a mistake, that's okay. I desire for you to give you mercy and acknowledge me that you've sinned, rather than (in this context burnt offerings, but could just as easily be lagging up the guilt fest, starting the pity party, believing the lies that you're the worst believer that ever lived and that God will never talk to you again...etc.) making yourself sick with guilt. You're human, I know, and if your heart is truly seeking me, I give you mercy.
[Think about it. This is true with unbelievers who come to Christ as well. He doesn't give mercy and forgiveness to those who don't want it and don't come to Him. If you want Him and are seeking Him with all your heart...you have mercy.]

 What a beautiful, freeing message! While I was reflecting on this, I also realized something. Feeling condemnation is actually kind of a sign: I truly hate sin! I hated doing it because my Father hated it! I hated it so much I was going to make myself miserable over it, but instead, Jesus spoke to my heart and made me love Him even more by telling me I didn't have to and He didn't want me to. He says in His Word,
 "No one born of God makes a practice [habitually; does it and not care] of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God" --1 John 3:8-9 (ESV, author's paraphrase).

 So actually, in a way, condemnation is showing you that you really do belong in Christ, and that He's living in you. I thought that bit was really cool, too!
This is my motto, because it keeps me right living and directs my mind on Him. It's from Micah 6:
"...act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord your God." --Micah 6:8 (NIV)
That's it. As long as I keep doing that, I am free to enjoy life the way God created it to be, and enjoy His mercy, nearness and direction in my life. You too! God loves your human, Jesus-loving self. Get out of condemnation and get back to loving Him!

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